Cornish seascapes by a St Ives artist set to make waves

Iconic Cornish seascapes and landscapes by an internationally-renowned artist who made the county his home go under the hammer on July 11 in Penzance.  

Sheffield-born Victor Bramley (1933-2014) was became a member of the St Ives Society of Artists in 1961, alongside iconic names such as Patrick Heron, Barbara Hepworth, Paul Feiler and Terry Frost. 

Several of Bramley’s depictions of well-known local land and seascapes, including the lighthouse at Penzance, the shoreline at Priest’s Cove in Cape Cornwall, a view of St Just and a depiction of Virgin St, St. Ives will be offered for sale at Hansons Auctioneers’ Harbour Saleroom on the Quay in Penzance. 

Bramley, the son of a butcher, left his industrial roots in 1959  to make a name for himself among the vibrant artistic community of St Ives at a time when the town was made up of fishermen and artists. 

The 1950s were arguably the golden era of the St Ives colony, cementing its place in the history of 20th-century modern art and influencing generations of artists to come. 

Self taught as an artist, Bramley started working as a pot boy in a local hotel while painting in his spare time. His talents were soon spotted by St Ives Society of Artists and he went on to be its longest serving member, exhibiting with it every year until shortly before his death. 

Hansons Auctioneers Cornwall associate director, Darren Ashley, said: “Bramley’s works cover many styles and genres but always focused on personal expression.” 

The 230-lot collection, consigned by his widow Bernadette, includes landscapes from his travels around the UK and overseas as well as works from closer to his hometown, namely Cumbria and the Lake District.  

The sale, at Hansons Auctioneers, Trinity House, The Harbour Saleroom, The Quay, Penzance starts at 10am.